Scotland defender Ikechi Anya says there is no margin for error in his side’s attempts to keep alive their hopes of reaching next summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Saturday’s 2-2 draw against England, in which Gordon Strachan’s men were denied three points courtesy of Harry Kane’s added-time leveller, has left Scotland four points adrift of second-placed Slovakia in the hunt for a play-off spot.
Next up for Scotland is a double-header against Lithuania and Malta before they end their Group F campaign with games against Slovakia and Slovenia the following month.
Derby County’s Anya knows a loss in any of the fixtures would prove fatal to the Scots’ hopes of reaching a first major tournament in 20 years.
Anya said: “I don’t know if we have to win every game but we certainly need to take points in every one.
“We will be going out to get a victory in every match and I don’t see any reason why we can’t.
“There is plenty to build on for the matches against Lithuania and Malta next time round.
“We’ll be confident of getting two wins when the lads meet up again.
“It’s all about getting a bit of momentum going. We face Lithuania next and that match is winnable, so hopefully we can get three points there then build upon it.”
Anya will not dwell on the disappointment of failing to hold out for three points against England, with the 29-year-old adding: “We felt down and deflated after the game.
“Before the game we would probably take a point against a team like England but after being a goal up with just seconds left it was very disappointing.
“We left the pitch despondent but we have to look at the big picture.
“We got a point, we’re still in with a chance, so we have to go on to the next qualifiers looking to win them both.”
